Apparatus for rolling sheet metal



Oct. 22, 1940. R. GOLDTHWAITE 2,219,207

APPARATUS FOR ROLLING SHEET "HEAL Filed May 26, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 23. l t (38 1 a1 &

/ GEORGE E. Goww/wrz' b 6240.1; G24.

attorney O 1940- G. R. GOL\DTHWAITE 19.20

APPARATUS FOR ROLLING SHEET IITAL Filed lay 26, 1938 S-Shqots-Sheet s 2i A a; 5' is v Z2 38 16' I 48 4'7 E 51 5a A 46 4 "Z 1:. 56 A 12 71 {Ii :z: 6 63 3 l a 7 -57 61 as y g iii a 3 ea FEED g: 65 Cams A l 2 Box 558 b cam a. Q ea (Lbi'orneg Patented Oct. 22, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR ROLLING SHEET METAL George R. Goldthwaite, South Easton, Mass., as-

signor to B. F. Sturtevant Company, Boston,

Mass.

Application May 26, 1938, Serial No. 210,175

7 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of fan inlets and the like and relates more particularly to methods and apparatus for rolling fan inlets from metal sheet.

Fan inlets for efficient air flow have curved portions providing stream-line air flow into the rotors of fans and have straight portions for attachment to the fan casings. been customary to form the inlets from metal sheet by the use of dies or to form the inlets by spinning where the scale of production has not justified the expense of dies. Both these methods are very expensive for if dies are used, a different die for each size of inlet is required and if the inlets are formed by spinning, the man hours required are excessive.

This invention provides apparatus for the economic quantity production of fan inlets and the like of any desired size. A single machine cheaply and quickly provides fan inlets of many sizes. In the practice of the invention, a central circular opening is cut from a flat metal sheet. The edges of the circular opening are then forcedoutwardly in curved lines away from the plane of the fiat sheet to assume the desired shape.

In one embodiment of apparatus for the practice of the invention, the work sheet is rotated and a rotatable roller having surfaces conforming to the desired curve, is forced against the edges of the circular opening which move along the surface of the roller and assume the desired shape.

In another embodiment of apparatus for the practice of the invention, the work sheet is held stationary and the work forming roller is forced against the edges of the circular opening while at the same time it is moved in a circular path of expanding diameter.

An object of the invention is to roll metal sheet to form an apertured sheet with outwardly curved inner edges. Another and more definite object of the invention is to roll fan inlets from metal sheet.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following .description and from the drawings.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of one embodiment-of apparatus for the practice of the invention utilizing a revolving work table and a movable form;

Fig. 2 is a plan view looking downwardly upon the turret type table of Fig. 1, and shows a centrally perforated metal sheet bolted down upon In the past, it has a fixed work table ready for the application of the forming roller of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view looking downwardly upon the roller assembly of Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation looking from the left, of the roller assembly of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a crosssectional view through the roller assembly and work table of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an elevation view with the work and work table section and illustrates the roller'of Figs. 1-5 as having advanced through partial formation of a fan inlet;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 except that the roller has advanced to complete the formation of the fan inlet;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view in side elevation of another embodiment of apparatus for the practice of the invention, in which the work sheet is fixed against transitional movement and the work forming roller is advanced in a circular path of expanding diameter against the work sheet;

Fig. 9 is a viewof a rotatable work forming roller similar to the work forming rollers of Figs. 1-8 inclusive except that it is provided with two 5 auxiliary work pressure rollers instead of th one shown by the preceding figures;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a fixed non-rotatable form which could be used to replace the forming rollers of the preceding figures as where 30 the forming of the work is less difiicult;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 except that the form is equipped with a plurality of small rollers for lessening friction of the work against the form; 35

Fig. 12 is aside elevation 01 another embodiment of a work forming roller having a smaller radius of curvature at its work entering portion, and

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of another embodiment of a work forming roller having a plurality of superimposed rotary portions for lessening the friction of the work.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, the formation-of fan inlets by advancing a forming 45 roller against a fixed work sheet will be described. The metal sheet l5 has cut from it, the circular central opening l6 preferably before being placed upon the turret type work table I I. The work sheet 15 is perforated at several points around its 50 outer edges to receive the bolts l8 which clamp it between the annular rings I9 and 20 and to the table IT.

The rotatable forming roller 2| extends from above into the opening l6 and the lower spacing 55 ring 23 is so selected that it spaces the work sheet I! above the table I! so that the edges of the circular opening I are in alignment with and substantially tangential to the lower curved portion of the roller 2| as shown most clearly by Fig. 5.

The outer surface of the roller 2| has a concave curvature conforming to the curved outline it is desired for the curved portion of th fan inlet to assume so that as the roller 2| is forced to the right (facing the drawings) against the work sheet l5, the latter is forced tofollow the outline of the roller 2| to take the shape shown by Fig. 6 and if the forming is continued, to take the shape shown by Fig. 7.

The details of the assembly of the roller 2| and of the mechanism of its movement will now be explained with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. The roller 2| referring first to Fig. 5 is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 22 through the intermediary of the roller bearings 23. The shaft 22 has an enlarged square upper portion 24 which is clamped to the carriage member 25 by the members 26 and bolts 21.

The carriage member 25 is slidably mounted upon the horizontal guides 28, the ends of which are supported in the frame 29. The rotatable threaded rod 30 extends through the carriage member 25 and is adapted to be rotated through the usual gears (not shown) in the gear box 3|.

The rod 30 may also be rotated by hand by placing a crank upon the extension 32 provided for that purpose. The carriage member 25 contains the usual internally threaded gear (not shown) around and in mesh with the teeth of the threaded rod 30 and affixed to the carriage member 25, so that rotation of the rod 30 moves the carriage member from left to right (facing the drawings) when the work sheet I5 is being acted upon by the roller 2|. The details of the gear within the carriage member 25 and of the gear train in the gear box 3| are well known to those skilled in the art and will not therefore be illustrated or described in detail.

The support 34 is mounted upon an enlarged portion 33 of the shaft 22 and the roller supporting member 35 is attached to the support 34 by the pivot bolt 36 and by the removable rod 31. The auxiliary pressure roller 38 is supported upon the ball bearing 39 around the shaft 40 of the member 35 and serves to press the work sheet against the work forming roller 2| at its entrance thereon. By removing the rod 31 the member 35 may be swung out of the way by movement around the pivot bolt 36 to the position shown in dash-dot outline by Fig. '7.

In forming fan inlets and the like by the embodiments of Figs. 1 to '7 inclusive, the shaft 4| of the turret type table I1 is rotated as it is customary to rotate turret tables and this causes the work sheet |5 to rotate around the work forming roller 2|. The roller is then advanced by rotation of the threaded rod to the right (facing the drawings) and its lower portion first rides under the inner edges of the work sheet l5. The auxiliary roller 38 presses downwardly upon the work sheet at its first points of contact with the roller 2| and causes the sheet |5 to follow the. curved outline of the roller as it is advanced against the sheet. The roller 2| freely rotates about the bearing 23 under the rotative action of the work sheet to lessen friction and the power required for the rolling operation. Fig.

5 illustrates the position of the work sheet and,

the rollers, etc., at the beginning of the rolling operation. Fig. 6 illustrates a. fan inlet, the curved portion of which has been rolled through an angle of substantially 90". a fan inlet, the curved portion of which has been rolled through an angle of substantially 120".

After the rolling operation is completed, the member 35 is swung out of the way; the roller 2| removed by removal of the bolts 21 and member 26, and the fan inlet removed after removal of the bolts I8 and ring I9.

Fig. 8 of the drawings illustrates another embodiment of apparatus for the practice of the invention. In this embodiment, the work sheet is held stationary and the work forming roller is moved'around a circular path of expanding diameter to form the curved portion. In this embodiment, the work sheet |5 rests upon the ring which is bolted to the frame 45. The ring 41 rests upon the work sheet and is pressed against same to hold same immovable by the pistons 48 which are forced by compressed air in the cylinder 49 attached to the overhead frame 50, against the ring 41.

The shaft 22 of the roller 2| has a threaded lower end upon which the nuts 5| are screwed to hold the shaft in the movable carriage member 52. The member 52 has a lower portion 53 which is tapped and threaded to receive the threaded rod 54 so that rotation of the rod 54 causes transitional movement of the carriage member 52. The rod 54 also supports the carriage member 52. The rod 54 is rotated through the gears 55 and 56, the shaft 51, the gears 58 and 59 and the shaft 50, from gears in the usual feed control box 6|. The rods 54 may also be rotated by the hand wheel 52.

The threaded rod 54 is supported at both ends by the rotatable members 63 which is attached to the outer hollow shaft 64 within which the shaft 57 rotates. The shaft 64 is attached to the gear 55 and is rotated from a motor (not shown) by the gear 56. The member 63 is rotatably seated upon the block 61 and is supported thereby. The block 61 has an extension 68 which is tapped and threaded to receive the threaded shaft 69 which in turn is rotated by the gears 10 and H, shaft 12, and hand wheel 13 to raise and lower the block 61 and through it, the threaded shaft 54 and the carriage member 52 and the roller 2|.

In operation, the work forming roller 2| is rotated in a circle in the center of which is the shaft 51. This rotation is affected by rotation of the member 63 which supports the threaded shaft 54 and the carriage member 52. As previously explained, a motor or gear train (not shown) rotates the gear 66 and this rotates the gear 55 and shaft 64 to which the member 63 is attached. During this rotation of the work forming roller 2| around the circumference of a circular path, it is advanced against the inner edges of the work sheet by rotation of the threaded shaft 54 by the gears 55 and 56, the shaft 51, gears 58 and 59, shaft 60 and the gears in the control box 5|.

It is thus seen that the work forming roller in the embodiment of Fig. 8 advances whilemoving around the circumference of a circle, against the Fig. '7 illustrates inner edges of the work sheet which are bent upwardly to follow the curved outline ofthe roller.

The gears which rotate the roller 2 around the circumference of a circle and thegearswhich advance the roller against the work sheet may be coordinated and may be driven from the same source under either manual or automatic control. These two sets of gears may also be driven separately and independently.

'When the rolling of the fan'inlet or the like is completed by the embodiment of Fig. 8, the pistons 48 are retracted by the cylinders 49, the ring 41 removed and the fan inlet lifted off the ring 45. This embodiment has the advantage that since the Work sheet is stationary, it can be easily held down by the pistons of the compressed air cylinders, enabling the work to be handled faster.

Fig. 9 illustrates another embodiment of an auxiliary pressure roller arrangement which may be used with the rollers 2| of the previously described apparatus. In this embodiment an additional auxiliary roller is mounted in the member 35 with its shaft at right angles to the shaft of the usual pressure roller 38. This presses the work sheet against the roller 2| when it has reached an advanced position. This arrangement is desirable where relatively large size inlets are desired.

Fig. 10 illustrates a form which may be substituted for the rollers 2| of the previously described apparatus. This device is less desirable because it is less rugged and because of the friction resulting from its use.

Fig. 11 illustrates an improved form of the device of Fig. 10 having a plurality of rollers 15 so arranged that they will rotate when the work rolling form and the work are revolved relative each other.

Fig. 12 illustrates another embodiment of awork forming roller having a smaller radius of curvature at its lower portion and may be used for forming curved portions having different radii.

Fig. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a work forming roller having a plurality of superimposed rotary sections. Since the tendency of different portions of the work forming rollers is to rotate at diiferent speeds when in contact with the work sheet, the use of this embodiment may result in less friction in the contact between the work forming roller and the work sheet and may result in less strain in different portions of the curved metal. The auxiliary pressure roller '14 is also illustrated as placed at an angle less than to the auxiliary roller 38.

While the formation of fan inlets has been described in the foregoing, the invention is applicable to fan outlets and to other devices. I

While several embodiments of apparatus for the practice of the invention have been described for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood that other apparatus and arrangements of apparatus may be suggested by those skilled in the art without departing-from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for forming articles from an apertured sheet, comprising a work table, means forming a surface upon said table for supporting the underside of an apertured sheet, a sheet forming roller having a concave outer surface which curves towards and away from the roller axis, and normally supported with said axis at substantially a right angle to said first mentioned surface, and with its work receiving surface within said supporting means and in alignment with said first mentioned surface, means for rotating said table around said roller, and means for simultaneously therewith advancing said roller in a substantially straight line perpendicular to its axis and with its work receiving surface in alignment with said first mentioned surface, from the center of said supporting means towards an edge of said table, for forcing the inner edge of said sheet along the surface of said roller.

2. Apparatus for forming articles from an apertured sheet, comprising a work table, means for supporting an apertured sheet upon said table, a sheet forming roller having a curved surface and supported with its axis at substantially a, right angle to the work receiving surface of said table and with its work receiving surface within said means, a work pressure roller supported with its outer surface spaced a relatively small distance from said work receiving surface of said sheet forming roller for pressing said sheet against said work receiving surface during the operation of said apparatus, means for rotating said table around said sheet forming roller, and means for simultaneously progressively advancing said forming roller in a substantially straight line perpendicular to its axis from the center of said sheet supporting means towards an edge of said table for forcing the inner edge of said sheet along the curved surface of said forming roller.

3. Apparatus for forming articles from an apertured sheet, comprising a work table, means forming a surface upon said table for supporting the underside of an apertured sheet, a sheet forming roller having a concave outer surface which curves towards and away from the roller axis, means for supporting said roller with said axis at substantially a right angle to the work receiving surface of said table and with its work receiving surface.within said supporting means and normally in alignment with said first mentioned surface, means for rotating said roller supporting means and said table relative each other, and means for simultaneously therewith advancing said forming roller and said table in a substantially straight line perpendicular to said axis and with the work receiving surface of said roller in alignment with said first mentioned surface, towards each other for forcing the inner edge of said sheet along the curved surface of said forming roller.

4. Apparatus for forming articles from an apertured sheet, comprising a work table, means for supporting an apertured sheet upon said table, a sheet forming roller having a curved outer surface, means for supporting said roller with its axis at substantially a right angle to the work receiving surface of said table and with its work receiving surface within said means, a work pressure roller supported with its outer surface spaced a relatively small distance from said work receiving surface for pressing said sheet against said work receiving surface during the operation of said apparatus, means for rotating said roller supporting means and said table relative each other, and means for simultaneouslyprogressively advancing said forming roller and said table in a. substantially straight line perpendicular to said axis towards each other for forcing the inner edge of said sheet along the curved surface of said forming roller. Y

5. Apparatus for forming articles from an apertured metal sheet, comprising a work table having a central opening, means forming a surface upon said table for supporting the underside of an apertured sheet around said opening, a

sheet forming roller having a concave .outer surwork receiving surface of said table, and with its work receiving surface within said opening and normally in alignment with said first mentioned surface, and means for rotating said roller supporting means and for simultaneously advancing same in a substantially straight line perpendicular to said axis and with the work receiving surface of said roller in alignment with said first mentioned surface, from the center of said sheet supporting means towards an edge of said table for forcing the inner edge of said sheet along the curved surface of said forming roller.

6. Apparatus for forming articles from an apertured metal sheet, comprising a work table having a central opening, means for supporting an apertured sheet upon said table around said opening, a sheet forming roller having a curved outer surface, means for supporting said roller with its axis at substantially a right angle to the work receiving surface of said table, and with its work reeciving surface within said opening, a

work pressure roller supported with its outer surface spaced a relatively small distance from said work receiving surface for pressing said sheet against said work receiving surface during the operation of said apparatus, and means for rotating said roller supporting means and for simultaneously advancing same in a substantially straight line perpendicular to said axis from the center of said sheet supporting means towards an edge of said table for forcing the inner edge of said sheet along the curved surface of said forming roller.

7. Apparatusfor forming articles from an apertured sheet, comprising a work table, hydraulic means for supporting an-apertured sheet upon said table, a sheet forming roller having a curved outer surface, means for supporting said roller with its axis at substantially a right angle to the work receiving surface of said table and with its work receiving surface within said means, means for rotating said roller supporting means and said table relative each other, and means for simultaneously progressively advancing said forming roller and said table in a substantially straight line perpendicular to said axis towards each other for forcing the inner edge of said sheet along the curved surface of said forming roller.

GEORGE R. GOLDTHWAITE. 

